Kilim: The Complete Guide, Alastair Hull, Jose Luczyc-Wyhowska

Kilim: The Complete Guide remains the definitive reference on flatwoven rugs from North Africa, Anatolia, Persia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. Combining over 600 detailed colour and black‑and‑white photographs with original research, the book explores kilim structure, dye sources, symbolism, motifs, and weaving traditions across diverse tribal and regional contexts—making it indispensable for collectors, historians, and textile designers.

The volume moves beyond aesthetics to reveal kilims as living markers of cultural exchange, spiritual symbolism, and shifting identities. Sections on new contemporary weaves, kilim derivatives (bags and trappings), collecting guidance, and care tips render this not just a scholarly survey but a practical field manual for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

About the Author
Alastair Hull, a long-standing collector and field researcher, brings more than three decades of experience investigating Central Asian weaving traditions.

 José Luczyc‑Wyhowska, founder of London’s Kilim Warehouse since 1982, has travelled widely in North Africa and Southwest Asia to source and study flatweaves. Together, they bring academic rigour and marketplace insight to this authoritative guide

Publication date: 2000
Publisher:  Thames &Hudson
Pages: 352
ISBN:  9780500282212